Greater New Orleans

New Orleans Saints quarterback Ryan Griffin (4) during the final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at the Superdome in New Orleans, Thursday August 28, 2014.
(David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

The New Orleans Saints had invested time, energy and a 2013 53-man roster spot on former Tulane quarterback Ryan Griffin.

So I'm assuming I'm not the only one who raised an eyebrow when the Saints placed Griffin on waivers Tuesday. Previously released kicker Shayne Graham bumped Griffin from the current 53-man roster.

It was not the transaction I anticipated the Saints making to offset the eventual addition of a kicker after cutting Graham and Derek Dimke after training camp Saturday.

Maybe drop someone like fullback Erik Lorig or linebacker Khairi Fortt on either short-term or full-season injured reserve. But don't cut the passer who competed strongly with Luke McCown for the backup quarterback job in camp.

McCown won the job to be Drew Brees' primary backup because he outplayed Griffin by the end of training camp. But I'm not sure anyone figured the Saints would let another team get its hands on Griffin, who the St. Louis Rams try to pluck off the Saints' practice squad nearly a year ago.

You can see the strategy here by the Saints. The team waited for the initial wave of final training camp cuts with the hope that teams with uncertain quarterback situations figured out their plan, allowing Griffin to sneak through waivers and land back on the Saints' practice squad.

Many times there's a sense of overreaction from some fans when the Saints or any other NFL team waive a prospect with ideal measureables (like wide receiver Brandon Coleman) or an unknown player who has shown flashes in training camp (safety Pierre Warren).

But this might be one of the few times fans' angst is warranted about another team potentially snatching a Saints castoff.